The Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Junagadh district of Gujarat.
The Gir Forests is the only natural habitat of Asiatic lions.
It was declared as a sanctuary in 1965 and a national park in 1975.
The Gir Forests is the largest compact tract of dry deciduous forests in the semi-arid western part of India.
The Gir Forests forms a unique habitat for many mammals, reptiles, birds and insect species along with a rich variety of flora.
Gir is often linked with "Maldharis" who have survived through the ages by having symbiotic relationship with the lion.
Maldharis are religious pastoral communities living in Gir. Their settlements are called "nesses".
Other National Parks in Gujarat
Black buck National Park
Vansda National park
Marine National Park
Asiatic Lion
Scientific Name: Panthera leo persica
Habitat: Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary
Threats
They are vulnerable to disease, encroachment, forest fire, natural calamities, grazing, collection of fuelwood, Non-timber forest produce (NTFP), poaching, tourism, religious pilgrimage and accidental lion deaths due to human causes.
In 2018, Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) was responsible for the death of more than 25 Lions in the Gir forest of Gujarat.
Also, there have been indications of poaching incidents in recent years.
